Community Spotlight | June 2026
Dance of Life
Written by Qingming, photo by Lixia
While the concert began at New Horizons senior living facility, there was a storm outside. Gust was so strong that the branches swayed wildly. Yet no one seemed to notice. Forty senior residents were fully immersed in the joy of music. After six months, coming back to the facility, many residents still remembered the last performance. “It was such a great memory, and I can’t wait for tonight!” “You are amazing. I look forward to your performance tonight.” Those were the words I heard most even before the concert began. Those words also nurtured the courage of the young performers. Davin Wu, the youngest performer in the concert, calmly walked to the piano after being introduced. His foot could not even reach the pedal that he made a silly face towards his mom to ask for help. Everyone laughed warmly. He played Luna Eclipse beautifully with cheerful fingers dancing on the keys. Six months ago, the first time he came to the same place with Mindful Musicians, he was so reluctant to perform in public. In the end, his older brother Darien performed for him, and he sat besides Darien silently. It is a beautiful journey to see how much growth the young performers gain while they come together to the family of Mindful Musicians and hear the praise and cheer from the audience.
As the concert got closed, the conversations continued between the senior residents and young performers. “Where do you go to school? How do you learn the music? Which instrument do you like better?” With the most important one being “When do you come back?” See you in December, my dear New Horizons friends.
Community Spotlight | May 2026
Friendship: Count On Me
Written by Coco, photo by Lixia
On a bright Mother’s Day afternoon, the community room atSunny Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Centerfilled with residents, family members, flowers, and quiet anticipation. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows asMindful Musicianspresented this month’s program centered around the theme: “Friendship: Count on Me.”On a day honoring mothers, caregivers, and unconditional love, the theme carried special meaning. Friendship, much like family, is about showing up for one another with kindness, encouragement, and presence.The afternoon quickly became more than a recital. It became a gathering shaped by connection across generations.One by one, the young musicians stepped forward with sincerity and courage. A young pianist opened the program with calm focus, setting a warm and reflective tone for the afternoon. Soon after, violinists and cellists filled the room with music that was both elegant and heartfelt. Residents listened attentively — some smiling softly, some closing their eyes, and others applauding enthusiastically after each performance.One especially touching moment came from Jean, a resident attending the concert, who shared her reflections afterward. Jean said the performance was “wonderful” and marveled at how proficient the young musicians were. Having once played an instrument herself, she understood the challenge of performing.“I could manage it,” she reflected honestly, “but I wasn’t enjoying the performance.”What moved her most was seeing children who were not only technically skilled, but truly joyful while making music. “These kids are really shining,” she said warmly. “We should all be proud of them.”
Her words beautifully captured the spirit of “Friendship: Count on Me.” Friendship is not only about support during difficult moments — it is also about encouraging others, celebrating their growth, and helping them shine.That spirit could be felt throughout the afternoon in both large and small moments. Young volunteers carried music stands through the hallways, families helped organize performers, and children supported one another behind the scenes. The residents, in turn, offered something equally meaningful: their attention, warmth, and encouragement.For many of the young musicians, performing at a nursing home is very different from performing in a recital hall. Here, music becomes more personal. Every note carries human connection. A melody can awaken memories, bring comfort, or simply brighten someone’s day.On this Mother’s Day, the concert reminded everyone present that friendship often lives in the quietest gestures — listening carefully, helping one another, sharing music, and simply being there.By the end of the afternoon, the room felt transformed not only by music, but by togetherness.“Friendship: Count on Me” became more than the title of a program.It became something everyone in the room could truly feel.
Community Spotlight | May 2026
Singing For Mother
Written by Liyuan, photo and video by Lixia
In the 1980s, the song Only Mothers Are Good in the World《世上只有妈妈好》 touched the whole China so much and everybody was singing the melodies: children, parents, grandparents. I grew up singing the song. Every time I sing it or even just think about it, it brings me back to the time when I would try to follow my mom wherever she went, take food from her hands, and sob when she was away for business trips. The subtle and strong feelings about mother and attachment planted deeply in my memory. When our violinist and cellist played this piece, my memories started to come back, and I believe so did it happen to the audience who grew up in China, having the melodies as part of their memories and probably feeling the same sentiments like I did.
Music is never just music. It is part of us.
We assigned other songs to our performers like Mother's Kiss《妈妈的吻》, Daylily Blossoms《萱草花》. The children's performance was put together on short notice. They may not yet have fully understood the role these old songs play in the elders' memories before they stepped onto the stage, almost sight-reading their parts. But the sudden hush in the room, the change in the “grandparents”’s expressions, and their quiet yet deeply felt humming—these things must have become, in the children's hearts, memory-keepers just like those old songs. Our little emcee girl was praised for reading the Chinese characters beautifully. How was today’s event not a “song” that will later become the “special old song” from the performers’ and little volunteers’ memories?
That’s what happens when a young person starts to care about people around and far away, and believe in music as a way of feeling and giving.
On Mother's Day, we were invited to join the Chinese elderly in their community. The children's performance was put together on short notice. With eagerness and kindness, our Mindful Musicians performed their music after only a few days of practice and yet felt deeply connected with the “grandparents” 爷爷奶奶.
Community Spotlight | April 2026
The voice of memory
Written by Junna, photo by Xin, video by Sha
Young musicians from Mindful Musicians brought music, warmth, and heartfelt connection to the residents of Artis Senior Living of Lexington in a truly special concert - sing along for memories. Artis Senior Living is dedicated to supporting individuals living with dementia by helping them rediscover the essential human needs of purpose, belonging, and joy, building a bridge between lifelong identity and present daily life. This mission was beautifully incorporated in today’s event.
With nearly 40 residents in attendance, the concert—titled “Voice of the Memory – Sing Along”—created a deeply moving atmosphere. As familiar melodies filled the room, many residents were visibly touched. Some softly hummed along, while others sang with emotion, transported by the music to cherished memories from their past. One resident shared, “The violin makes me cry,” capturing the emotional power of the performance. Another reflected, “I wish I could play an instrument at this age,” expressing both admiration and inspiration. Words like “wonderful” and “terrific” echoed throughout the room.
In a touching moment of exchange, residents were invited to share what they loved doing at age 15. Their answers painted a vivid picture of their younger days: helping others, taking dancing lessons, playing the piano, reading, gardening, sailing in Connecticut, shopping, and spending time with family and friends.
As the concert came to a close, many residents lingered. One resident gave flowers she had grown herself to the youngest performers, creating a moment that symbolized connection across generations.
The concert created a shared experience of memory, music, and human connection. Through music, the young performers not only performed, but also listened, learned, and touched lives in a meaningful way.
Community Spotlight | March 2026
The Birch Seeds
Written by Liyuan, photo by Liyuan
“Guess what comes back to life first after the whole forest is burnt to ashes in the fire?” A gentle but reassuring voice emerged from our audience, the community of The bIRch House.
What an interesting question. Kids looked at each other and responded with an agreed silence.
“It is the birch tree.” The lady who asked the question pointed to a floor lamp: “See the shaft of the lamp? It is from a birch tree.”
The space filled with soft and ivory-warm light was taking the kids on some unexpected, exciting tour of an amazing imagination about this miraculous tree called birch: the renewal of life, the hope that endures.
“When the birch is back to life, everything else will follow: plants, bugs, animals… What is the first animal you see that returns to the forest?”
“Butterfly!” A 7-year old girl who just performed the Bach double violin concerto with her mom shouted.
Soon more animals joined their homecoming:
“Bunnies! Squirrels! Chipmunks! Birds! Deer!”
The lady welcomed all animals back and said, “When everything is back, guess what? They grow better than they used to be. Thanks to the birch tree that led the way!”
The children cheered. Their intelligence and spirituality are also paving the way into a nourished ground where the “birch” seeds are planted in musical forms, sprout and grow bigger and bigger followed by all that are meant to live in the forest of life: love, hope, regeneration and resilience.
Community Spotlight | March 2026
When courage sings
Written by Xiaocheng, photo by Hua
The Carroll Center’s own Maria perform with Mindful Musicians, a week before her graduation from the center.
On the evening of March 4, ten young musicians from the Mind Musicians delivered a heartfelt and uplifting performance for the visually impaired audience at the Carroll Center for the Blind*. The performers ranged in age from five to nineteen years old, including Carroll Center’s own Maria Palomeras who became the emotional highlight of the evening. Maria sang the song Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from the musical The Phantom of the Opera. Her voice was steady and deeply expressive, drawing the audience into the song’s poignant atmosphere.
Nineteen-year-old Maria has been studying vocal music for four years. Two years ago, she discovered opera—and since then, music has become her language to the world. Maria attended the last two concerts Mindful Musicians brought to the Carroll Center last year. She was deeply moved by the violin piece Gavotte from Mignon—originally an aria from the opera Mignon. After the concert, she approached us, shared her singing on Instagram, and asked if we could help spread her voice and her dream: one day she wanted to be a profession on the stage. We invited her to perform with us. I said “We perform because we care. You have the spirit.” Even though she can’t see the stage—she can feel it and express the passion fully to the audience.
After the first performance with Mindful Musicians today, Maria shared her excitement about future concerts. “I hope to see everyone again in the fall,” she said, echoing the lyrics of the song she had just sung. “Listening to live performances is truly wonderful. Who knows—among today’s performers there might be the next Bach or Beethoven. Just thinking about that is so exciting.”
Community Spotlight | February 2026
The love place
Written by Qingming, photo by Lixia
It was Valentine’s day when Mindful Musicians brought love and Lunar New Year celebration to Potter Place Clubhouse*, a program of the renowned Edinburg Center** serving people with mental illnesses. The warm welcome and the heartfelt valentine’s gift for young musicians spoke the word of love in this place. Despite the struggles the Potter people faced day to day, smiles, praise, and claps became the keywords in this concert. Below is our journalist Dylan documented what happened that day.
“I arrived at Potter Place a little early—it was my first time attending a performance by Mindful Musicians. While I was settling in, I met Rose, and I was surprised to learn she had been to one of Mindful Musicians concerts before. Our conversation unfolded naturally from there. She told me she’d crossed paths with music many years ago: when she was five, her father tried to teach her guitar. She didn’t continue with formal training, but she still carried a soft spot for it. Later that day, she planned to visit her five-year-old nephew, and she said she hoped to encourage him to get involved in music—like the young performers.
When the concert began, Rose moved from back to the second row, and completely absorbed. As the program went on, the whole audience clapped, filmed, and called out “encore”. Even though Rose was not familiar with the classical and cultural pieces played by the young performers, she told me it was simply soothing to watch them.”
*https://www.potterplace.org/ **https://www.edinburgcenter.org/
Community Spotlight | January 2026
Music Buddy
Written by Qingming, photo by Qingming
NEC chamber music
2025 lunar new year recital
AAPI festival in Belmont
2026 lunar new year rehearsal
With an old friend
With a new friend
School marketplace
Do you know you can have a music buddy anytime, anywhere, and with anyone who loves music? It is magical how music naturally connects us. Mindful Musician Ethan Zhu had no idea about this when he began the journey of learning violin at the age of 6. Today after two years, he has formed over 10 music buddy groups through the inspiration and nurturing of community performance. Some are groups of 20 people, and some are just two. Some are long-lasting friends, and some are strangers just a minute ago. “I like playing music together with others. It makes learning music more fun and rewarding,” says Ethan, who is passionate about violin and making friends, and the combination of the two.
Ethan is looking forward to his first spring break music program* organized by Mindful Musicians, which will focus on creative music making and community performance. “Maybe we can make a music band, which turns into a big music party in Watertown Housing Authority at the end of the week,” says Ethan.
*For more information about spring break music program, please visit the program website.
Community Spotlight | December 2025
Treble Makers
Written by Clara, photo by Lixia
Being the first chamber group of Mindful Musicians, the “Treble Makers” gave their incredible premier performance on Decemeber 14, 2025 at a beautiful senior house “ New Horizons at Choate”.
The three young musicians Aimee Chen (7), Jasmine Bao(12) and Jessie Li (14), who are the winners of various music competitions, performed two pieces in the concert, “Ratatouille” and “Moon River”, in which the lyrical melodies and the rich harmonization of the ensemble fully immersed each audience’s heart.
Besides the great opportunity of sharing different music with the audience, the main mission of this piano trio is to pass the enthusiasm of sharing love and positive mindful spirit to the community, especially the people with special needs. And we believe their successful performances will keep healing people’s perspective of mindfulness as well as the good sense of well-being.
Community Spotlight | November 2025
Serenade Ensemble
Written by Wenfei, photo by Wenfei and Lifang
Serenade Ensemble, from left to right, front row: Jill Yang (viola), Yiman Ding (cello), Heidi Lu (piano), Hillary Hu (cello); back row: Jessica Qin (first violin), Elvina Hong (first violin), Peiwen Gong (second violin), Grace Wang (second violin), Cathy Wang (viola).
The performance at the Liberty Tree mall attracted a big crowd listening and recording the beautiful music through their cameras.
Serenade Ensemble performed in our Thanksgiving concert at the Liberty Tree Mall in Danvers, MA. Their string ensemble performance of Por Una Cabeza and Viva La Vida attracted a big crowd in the mall and gained long lasting applause and cheer from the audience. Everyone was delighted to hear the heart-warming music, especially in this holiday season. Let’s hear the story of Serenade Ensemble.
Serenade Ensemble is a youth chamber ensemble founded by violinist and violin teacher Wenfei Zhu. The ensemble is based in Winchester, MA and composed of girls aged 13-14. The mission of Serenade Ensemble is to provide meaningful performance opportunities for young musicians while using music as a tool to enrich community life, promote intergenerational connection, and bring beauty and inspiration to public and nonprofit space.
The ensemble features a balanced instrumentation including two first violins, two second violins, two violas, two cellos, and a piano accompaniment. Through ensemble training and public performance, the group aims to foster both musical growth and a strong sense of community engagement among young musicians. The ensemble’s repertoire spans traditional Chinese music, classical-inspired works, and popular international pieces, including Bu Bu Gao (步步高), Spring Festival Overture, The World Has Given Me Everything, Up the Spring Mountain (上春山), Viva La Vida, and Por Una Cabeza. These familiar and expressive selections are chosen to engage diverse audiences and create moments of joy and resonance.